Dillard following in brother's footsteps at Rice

By Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle

October 8, 2013Updated: October 8, 2013 11:11pm

Photo: Tom Gilbert, Associated Press

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Rice's Darik Dillard, center, celebrates after he made the game winning touchdown during an overtime NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Oct. 5, 2013, at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Tulsa World, Tom Gilbert) less

Rice's Darik Dillard, center, celebrates after he made the game winning touchdown during an overtime NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Oct. 5, 2013, at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Tulsa ... more

Photo: Tom Gilbert, Associated Press

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Rice's Darik Dillard, right, runs toward the end zone for the game winning touchdown during overtime as Tulsa's Dwight Dobbins, left, tries to stop him during an NCAA college football game Oct. 5, 2013, at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Tulsa World, Tom Gilbert)

Rice's Darik Dillard, right, runs toward the end zone for the game winning touchdown during overtime as Tulsa's Dwight Dobbins, left, tries to stop him during an NCAA college football game Oct. 5, 2013, at

Rice's Darik Dillard, a MacArthur grad, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 20-yard run as the Owls scored twice late in the fourth quarter to beat Florida Atlantic.

Rice's Darik Dillard, a MacArthur grad, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 20-yard run as the Owls scored twice late in the fourth quarter to beat Florida Atlantic.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 20: Jarett Dillard #81 of the Rice Owls runs with the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns on September 20, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 52-10. less

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 20: Jarett Dillard #81 of the Rice Owls runs with the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns on September 20, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Darik Dillard, who was all smiles after scoring the game-winning touchdown in Rice's victory over Tulsa on Saturday, followed a trail of San Antonio talent — including his brother — to the Owls.

Darik Dillard, who was all smiles after scoring the game-winning touchdown in Rice's victory over Tulsa on Saturday, followed a trail of San Antonio talent — including his brother — to the Owls.

Photo: Tom Gilbert / Tulsa (Okla.) World

Dillard following in brother's footsteps at Rice

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HOUSTON — Darik Dillard knows there's a lot to live up to when it comes to his big brother.

All he has to do is look at the upper deck at Rice Stadium.

“I have to practice with his name on the stadium the whole time,” Darik said of older brother, Jarett, who is recognized among the Rice All-America selections. “It kind of forces me ... I can't have any bad days.”

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“There's something special about that Dillard family,” Rice coach David Bailiff said.

Darik Dillard, who has the winning touchdown in back-to-back games, said he embraces his family's legacy at Rice, even if there are enough differences between the brothers.

Darik, a former MacArthur star, is a 5-foot-10 redshirt freshman running back.

Jarett, a standout at Sam Houston, was a 5-11 wide receiver.

Darik has two career touchdowns — one rushing and one receiving — that have come in consecutive games.

In his four-year career, Jarett set NCAA records for career touchdown receptions (60) and consecutive games with a touchdown (13) and finished with more than 4,000 receiving yards.

“I'm trying to work hard to not be a second Jarett Dillard but a first Darik Dillard,” he said. “We do embrace that. He came here and created his legacy. Now it's time for me to create my own legacy.”

Jarett Dillard, who retired this year after three NFL seasons, said Darik has the maturity “to separate himself and find his own path.”

“It's definitely all about him right now,” said Jarett, who is attending South Texas College of Law in Houston. “When we are watching games, we don't even talk about anything I've done. We are watching a brand-new Rice team and a brand-new Darik Dillard.”

Darik Dillard was around the Rice program enough when his brother played from 2005-08 that Jarett said his only “selling point” was about the school's academics.

“He knew the football,” Jarett said. “I definitely left the decision strictly up to him. I wanted him to make that decision.”

After a distinguished prep career at MacArthur, Darik Dillard said frustration set in last season when he redshirted and was limited to the scout team in practice.

Colleges

“I can honestly say my first year here, it's something I struggled with because I wasn't able to do much,” Dillard said. “That's something I struggled with daily.”

In five games, Dillard is the Owls' second-leading rusher with 182 yards. His first career touchdown, a 20-yard run, provided the winning points in the Owls' 18-14 conference-opening win Sept. 28 over Florida Atlantic.

Later, Jarett joked he told his brother, “only 59 more, and you're almost there,” in reference to his touchdown record.

“We're always joking,” he added. “I would love to see him reach (the record). If anybody were to break it, I would want it to be my younger brother. He's still young in his career. I don't want to put too much pressure on him.”